Kitchen beauty recipes that’ll give you a glow

THERE has been a huge increase in interest in natural skincare over the past few years. As people have become more aware of what they are putting on their skin, there has been a move towards simpler products that contain just a few ingredients rather than a long list of unpronounceable chemicals.

Don’t worry too much about the proportions and avoid ingredients that you know you’re allergic to.

If your skin feels uncomfortable at any point, rinse off the mask and apply a soothing balm such as aloe vera gel to ease any redness or irritation.

- Cleanse your face before applying a mask and moisten your skin with warm water. This will open the pores, allowing the ingredients to penetrate more easily.

- Choose ingredients that work best for your skin type. Eggs, yogurt and milk are great for normal skin while dry complexions will benefit from oils including coconut, avocado and olive oil. If you have oily skin, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice can be effective.

- DIY masks are best used immediately but can be kept in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

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Mix 2tbsp of plain yogurt with the juice of one lemon and apply to face and neck. Leave to dry for 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll feel the mask tighten on your face and neck, which creates a lifting and firming effect. Rinse with tepid water followed by a cool rinse and apply your normal moisturiser.

You want to... BRIGHTEN SKIN

Beat an egg yolk and apply to cleansed skin. Egg yolks are packed with vitamins and lipids that help to brighten skin. Leave the yolk on the skin for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

You want to... EXFOLIATE

Blend an avocado with 2tsp of yogurt and apply to your face and neck. Leave for 30 minutes and rinse off. Avocado contains moisturising oils while yogurt is packed with lactic acid, a natural exfoliator. As well as sloughing off dead skin cells, it boosts circulation and gives skin a lovely glow.

You want to... MOISTURISE

Beat an egg yolk and mix with 1tsp of olive oil. Both are packed with nourishing ingredients that will give skin cells a moisture boost. Leave on for 15 minutes, then remove using a cotton wool ball that has been dipped in lukewarm milk.

Mash three blueberries or raspberries in a bowl and mix with 3tsp of plain yogurt. Apply the mixture evenly to your face and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. The vitamins in the fruit will calm the skin.

You want to... BANISH SPOTS

Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid, which helps to prevent breakouts and clogged pores. They also contain antioxidants and vitamins that help repair skin damage and calm inflammation. To make a mask, mash strawberries in a bowl and apply to your face. Rub in small circular motions around your nose, forehead, cheeks and chin, avoiding the eye area. Leave for three minutes before rinsing off.

You want to... CALM REDNESS

Parsley is packed with vitamin K and helps to reduce redness and encourage a plump and healthy glow. Chop a handful of parsley then mix with 2tsp of apple cider vinegar and 3tbsp of plain yogurt. Apply the mask to your face and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

You want to... SOFTEN WRINKLES

Mix honey, yogurt and milk in a bowl. Massage gently in circular motions over the face before leaving to dry for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

You want to... REDUCE BLOTCHINESS

Smooth 2tbsp of honey over your face and leave for five to 10 minutes before rinsing off. Honey is naturally antibacterial, is rich in antioxidants and will moisturise and soothe.

For advice on cosmetic surgery, consult your GP. For more of Lesley’s tips see lesleyreynolds.com